About & Committee

Who are we?

Representative body for businesses operating small bar and other types of licences

The Small Bar Association of W.A. Inc. (SBA) is a representative body for businesses operating small bar and other similar types of licences in respect of tourist orientated unique drinking, eating and hospitality related businesses.

The SBA aims to assist aspiring licensees to enter the industry as well as assist its members.

The SBA gives members a collective voice which can be directed to state and local government both at political and departmental levels. Further, the SBA facilitates networking and marketing opportunities for its members with the professional, industry and sponsor members of the SBA.

Our Vision

The SBA facilitates change and raises the profile of the small bar industry in Perth by fostering a dynamic and profitable small bar, music and entertainment culture in Western Australia.

Purpose of the Association

To add diversity to the drinking, social and hospitality scene in the State of Western Australia;

To help make Perth and Western Australia appealing to tourists and reduce the ‘dullsville’ tag;

To protect and develop the interests of its licensee members fostering a dynamic and profitable small bar, music and entertainment culture in Western Australia;

To be the representative body for businesses operating small bar licences and equivalent licences;

To promote the proliferation of small bar licences and equivalent Licences in Western in addressing the formalities of applying for and obtaining new licences;

To advocate the interests of its members to government and opposition members of the Western Australian Parliament as well as local government authorities; and

To foster communication and knowledge sharing amongst its members through training, seminars, publications and social events.

To afford members all such assistance as the Management Committee deems proper or desirable, in accordance with the Rules of the Association.

Wesley Eate

President

Wesley is the President of the Small Bar Association of W.A. Inc.
Wesley is the owner and operator of Helvetica Bar in Perth’s CBD.
Wesley is passionate about the small bar scene and his wide range of corporate experience allows him to support and assist the Association and it’s members to the fullest

Tim Brown

Vice President

Tim Brown is the Vice President of the Small Bar Association of W.A. Inc.
Tim is the owner and operator of Connections Nightclub and has worked there for nearly 20 years

Jessica Patterson

Treasurer

Jessica Patterson is a Partner in the Liquor, Events and Racing Team at Lavan.
Jessica commenced working at Lavan in 1993 and has been advising the liquor industry since 1998. Jessica provides advice on a wide variety of liquor licensing and related matters. She acts in both litigious and non-litigious matters for a range of different clients of all sizes around the State. Jessica’s experience includes acting in respect of the first small bar licensed premises in the Perth CBD and providing advices and assistance in respect of other small bar licence applicants and also for equivalent licences.
As Treasurer of the SBA, Jessica is responsible for the SBA’s finances and other committee obligations. Jessica has been actively involved in the establishment of the SBA.

John Parker

Committee Member

Committee member John Parker is an owner of The Standard, Halford & Arthouse Dine.

Dan Mossenson

Founder

Dan Mossenson is the founder of the Small Bar Association of WA Inc.
Dan is an Emeritus Partner and group leader of the liquor, events and racing group at Lavan, Perth’s largest independent law firm. Dan has been with the firm and its antecedent businesses for over 40 years. During that time he has acted for all of the principal liquor industry associations of licensees. Since representing the applicants for the liquor licences for the Sheraton Hotel Perth in 1971 and the first tavern in Western Australia (Sassella’s) in 1973 Dan has acted as solicitor for and counsel in countless licensing cases statewide. Dan has been at the forefront of new liquor licensing developments over many years.
Dan has been on the board of Tourism Council Western Australia Ltd and its predecessor for over 10 years and is the inaugural Chairman of Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal (since 1990).
Following the changes to liquor law with the introduction of the Liquor Control Act in 2007 and perceiving there to be a lack of representation for the small bar industry, Dan resolved to set up the Association. Dan’s background and experience make him ideally placed to support and represent the Association and its members.